PGL’s Counter-Strike events have been a highlight in the esports calendar, and after an electrifying victory by MOUZ at PGL Cluj-Napoca, the excitement continues with the upcoming PGL Bucharest 2025. This tournament, scheduled to run from April 6th to April 13th, will bring together 16 top-tier teams at the PGL Studio in Bucharest. With a prize pool of $1,250,000 (~£966,018), the competition promises to be fierce as teams vie for both glory and a substantial payout. The tournament marks the second international Counter-Strike 2 event of the year, and here’s everything you need to know about it.
Key Details About PGL Bucharest 2025
After a thrilling showdown at Cluj-Napoca, where MOUZ claimed victory, PGL Bucharest 2025 will feature new dynamics with MOUZ’s absence. Team Falcons, who made a significant impact at PGL Cluj-Napoca, will now aim to capture the title. Meanwhile, FaZe Clan, having missed out on a spot in the Grand Final during the previous event, will be looking to get their revenge and prove their dominance on the big stage. With the hype continuing to build, this event is set to be a game-changer.
PGL Bucharest 2025 Format and Prize Distribution
The tournament will feature 12 invited teams and 4 qualified teams. They will kick things off in the Swiss Stage, where all teams will compete for a spot in the Playoffs. The top eight teams will advance to the Playoffs, which will feature a single-elimination bracket. All matches in the Swiss Stage and Playoffs will be best-of-three, with the Grand Final being a best-of-five format.
The tournament will start on April 6th at 10 AM EST / 7 AM GMT / 9 AM CET, and the initial matchups have already been revealed.
PGL Bucharest 2025 (image via Getty)The prize pool distribution for PGL Bucharest 2025 is as follows:
- 1st place: $400,000 (~£308,920)
- 2nd place: $187,500 (~£144,094)
- 3rd place: $150,000 (~£115,845)
- 4th place: $87,500 (~£67,282)
- 5th- 8th place: $62,500 (~£48,269)
- 9th- 11th place: $31,250 (~£24,134)
- 12th- 14th place: $18,750 (~£14,409)
- 15th- 16th place: $12,500 (~£9,654)
Teams and Players to Watch at PGL Bucharest 2025
Several key teams and players are expected to make an impact at PGL Bucharest 2025. One team to watch is Team Falcons, led by star player Nikola ‘NiKo’ Kovač. Team Falcons secured a runner-up finish at PGL Cluj-Napoca, but the team has faced challenges since, including disappointing performances at BLAST Open Spring and ESL Pro League Season 21. However, with top contenders like Spirit and Vitality absent from this event, Falcons might seize this opportunity to make a strong comeback.
Another team to keep an eye on is Team Liquid, which recently parted ways with head coach Torbjørn ‘mithR’ Nyborg after a lackluster season. As the organization searches for a new permanent coach, Jay ‘Demars DeRover’ Li, a team analyst, will temporarily take the helm. It will be interesting to see how Liquid performs under this interim leadership.
Here’s a full list of teams participating in PGL Bucharest 2025:
Invited Teams:
- G2 Esports
- The MongolZ
- FaZe Clan
- Eternal Fire
- Team Falcons
- Team Liquid
- FURIA
- Virtus.pro
- GamerLegion
- 3DMAX
- Astralis
- paiN Gaming
Qualified Teams:
- Apogee Esports
- Complexity
- Legacy
- Rare Atom
PGL Bucharest 2025 (image via Getty)How to Watch PGL Bucharest 2025
PGL Bucharest 2025 will be a live-streamed event, but unlike PGL Cluj-Napoca, there will not be a live audience. Fans can catch all the action via PGL’s official Twitch and YouTube channels, where the games will be streamed in high quality. Additionally, several well-known content creators, such as Mark ‘ohnePixel’ Zimmermann and Erik ‘fl0m’ Flom, will be co-streaming the event. This will provide a community-driven experience for fans who want to watch the matches together and interact with other esports enthusiasts.
Whether you’re a long-time Counter-Strike fan or new to the esports scene, PGL Bucharest 2025 promises to deliver high-stakes action, thrilling matches, and plenty of surprises. Be sure to mark your calendars and stay tuned for all the excitement!
